Southern Belle's Special Gift (5 page)

T
he entire family had lined up at the cross ties in the barn watching Dr. Gonzales examine Southern Belle. Mr. Chambers was holding the mare steady. Afternoon rays from the warm spring sun filtered in through the doorway of the barn.

“She's coming early.” Dr. Gonzales sighed as he finished. He wiped his hands on a cloth and placed the stethoscope and other equipment back in his big black bags. “I sure was hoping for next month, but she'll be an April baby.”

“She?” asked Skye.

“Yep,” the doctor answered. “You've got yourself a little filly in there. Mighty, mighty little.”

“What does that mean?” Tanya's voice conveyed raw panic.

“That's not a good sign, is it, Doc?” Mr. Chambers said.

“I'm afraid not,” the doctor answered. “Belle seems stronger, but we can't be sure of her either. We needed that extra month for both of them to put on more weight with good food and vitamins. It's gonna be a close call.”

“What can we do to help?” Morgan asked.

Mrs. Chambers stepped up to Belle, kissed her on the nose, and stroked her neck. “From this point on, she needs around-the-clock care, doesn't she, Doc? We had another mare like this a few years ago, and we pulled both of them through with tons of TLC.”

“We have to save them! We just have to!” Tanya exploded. Crying hysterically, she ran out of the barn.

Skye gave Mrs. Chambers a “what now?” look.

“Go after her, Skye,” Mrs. Chambers said. “I'll be there as soon as we're done here with the doc.”

Outside Skye found Tanya hunched over the paddock fence next to the barn. Face buried in her arms, she was wailing like Belle and the baby had just died.

“Tanya, what's with you?” Skye said roughly before she remembered Mrs. Chambers' words.
Love and understanding.
Slowly Skye placed her hand on the weeping girl's shoulder. Tanya did not pull away.

“I love that horse,” Tanya wailed. She turned slowly, her face drenched with free-flowing tears.

What can I possibly say to make her feel better?
Skye pondered.
“She is where you once were, honey,”
she remembered Mrs. Chambers saying.

“We all love her,” Skye said softly. “We'll help her pull through.”

Tanya wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. “Didn't Mrs. Chambers say that Belle needed care all the time, like, through the night too? What did she mean?”

“It's not that she needs care twenty-four/seven. It's just that Belle and the baby have a much better chance if the vet or even Dad is right there when the foal comes. She's gonna need help delivering. If the foal decides to be born during the night when no one is with Belle, it could be a bad scene. We just need to keep watch all the time. That's what she meant.”

Just as Skye finished speaking, Mrs. Chambers rushed out of the barn. “Tanya, are you all right?”

“Aw, she's just upset because of Belle,” Skye said.

Tanya took one step forward, her eyes pleading for a mother's embrace. But she stopped. “Mrs. C., I want to move into the barn and take care of Belle. Please! I just have to do this.”

From a horse hater to a horse lover in one easy lesson!
Skye mused.
Go figure!

“Well, I'll talk with Tom about it. But, Tanya, are you sure you want to do this? It can get mighty lonesome in the barn with no one around but four-legged friends.”

They'll be better company than the stupid bears in her bedroom,
Skye thought.

“I won't mind.” Tanya managed a stingy smile through her sniffles. “I want to do this. P-l-e-a-s-e!”

I really don't hate her at all,
Skye told herself.
I just feel sorry for her. And she is trying to help.
“There's a cot in the tack room,” she offered. “We can help bring down a heavy sleeping bag and some of your things. And we can tell you what signs to look for when the baby's coming.”

“Let's do it right now.” Tanya's eyes sparkled through her pain.

Mrs. Chambers added her concerns. “Now, you'll need to come to the house for your meals, family devotions, and your voice lessons.”

“And your showers!” Skye said.

“Will someone watch Belle while I do that?” Tanya rambled on, fear sweeping over her face. “And school? And Maranatha? Who'll watch her when I'm away? Can't I just stay with her all the time?”

Mrs. Chambers reached out and touched Tanya's shoulder. “Don't worry, Tanya! Tom will be here all day, every day. Even when he's doing other things, he'll check on her every hour or so. She'll be all right.”

“But I still want to do this! Thank you, Mrs. C.,” Tanya added.

“Okay,” Mrs. Chambers said. “Let's go talk with Tom and see what he says.”

Tanya's face beamed. “This is too perfect,” she said. “I have a report due on Monday about my strangest experience. Sleeping in a barn! Too cool!”

And I could write a book!
Skye concluded, and broke into a smile as the three headed back into the barn.

“It's a breech. The rump's coming out first,” Dr. Gonzales lamented. “I was afraid she wouldn't turn in time.” He had positioned himself behind Belle in the far corner of her box stall on a soft bed of hay. Belle lay stretched out on her side, moaning. The vet's hands, protected in surgical gloves up to his elbows, reached toward the back of the horse. Mr. Chambers sat near the door of the stall and held Belle's head in his lap. Mrs. Chambers and the girls watched from outside the stall through the wire mesh and open doorway. Sunrise was still three hours away.

“I'm sure glad you folks called me when you did,” Dr. Gonzales said. “This little girl is going to need all the help she can get—and then some. It's going to be rough.”

Moaning, Belle kicked her back legs, trying to get up.

“Easy, girl,” Mr. Chambers said, pressing his weight on Belle's neck. “You stay put. Let those contractions push your baby out.”

“We have Tanya to thank for getting you here so soon,” Mrs. Chambers said. “For the last three weeks, she's hardly let Belle out of her sight.”

“And I knew an hour ago it had to be time, the way Belle was prancing and pawing and carrying on,” Tanya said, massaging her hands. “Belle had every animal in the barn wide awake.”

“Yeah,” Skye added, “and when the phone rang in the middle of the night, we knew Tanya wasn't making a social call.”

The chuckles were weak. Everyone was watching the mare struggle.

“C'mon, Belle, push!” Dr. Gonzales yelled, his hands locked on the foal's protruding rump. Under the shadow of his baseball cap, he turned bright red and sweat trickled down both sides of his face.

Belle's whole body twitched, and she let out a long, tortuous moan.

“She looks so helpless,” Tanya practically screamed. “Can't we do anything?”

Mrs. Chambers slipped her arm around Tanya. “We can help by staying calm. She doesn't need to sense that we're all upset. That will only make things worse. We just have to let nature take its course.”

“Yeah, and a little prayer would help right now,” Morgan added.

For the next thirty minutes, Dr. Gonzales and Mr. Chambers did all they could to help Belle deliver her foal. Belle struggled with every contraction, giving life to her little foal, inch by inch, the doctor using all the strength he had to pull the baby free.

“We've got to get this filly's head out quick now,” the doctor said as he grasped its shoulders and pulled slowly and firmly. “Come on, Belle, just one more push. Come on, baby.”

“Easy girl,” Mr. Chambers said, stroking Belle's lathered neck. “You can do it.”

The mare gave one long push, eyes wild, body writhing in pain, then the doctor pulled the filly free. Belle turned her head back, looked at the foal and nickered, then placed her tired head back down on Mr. Chambers' lap.

“She's out!” Skye tried to contain her excitement as the doctor wiped the foal with soft, clean cloths. “Will you look at that! She's gorgeous!”

“What a beautiful cocoa color!” Mrs. Chambers said. “Four white socks—and look at her darling face! She has a star right on her forehead.”

“Wow!” Tanya said. “I've never seen anything like this. She is too awesome!”

“Way to go, Belle,” Morgan said from the doorway. “You should be proud. That's one fine baby!”

Dr. Gonzales continued to clean and stimulate the foal that lay in a little wet ball on the hay. “This little girl is all legs, and they're very weak. Tom, we need to get Belle up soon. The baby needs her first meal in about twenty minutes. We'll have to help both to stand.”

Mr. Chambers carefully slipped out from under Belle's head and stood. He stared at her as she lay stretched out. “Doc, there's something wrong here. She's not breathing right.”

Belle lay still, nothing moving but her belly that rose and fell with short, choppy breaths.

The doctor rushed to Belle's side, placing his stethoscope on the horse's chest. “This was a mighty rough delivery, Tom.”

Tanya placed both hands over her mouth, stifling a scream she knew she couldn't release. Her eyes filled with tears. “What's wrong? Is she gonna make it? She has to!”

Skye glanced from Tanya to the mare. The vet stood and backed away. “She's lost a lot of blood, and there must be internal bleeding. We better not try to get her up.”

Almost as though determined to prove him wrong, Belle started to move her legs. She struggled with every ounce of strength left in her to obey her instincts. She tried to stand—she wanted to—to welcome her baby into the world, to feed it, to love it. She labored to hold her head up, nostrils flaring wildly.

“Easy, girl,” Mr. Chambers said, stepping forward and pressing against her neck. She struggled and kicked again and then slowly lay her head back down. She moaned
horribly, her tired body letting out one last breath, and then she lay still with not even her belly moving.

“Aw, no,” Mr. Chambers said, his eyes filling with tears. “I'm afraid we've lost her.”

Dr. Gonzales scrambled to his knees, pressing the stethoscope to different parts of Belle's chest and sides. He stopped, and his shoulders slumped. He stood and relaxed his cap back further on his head. His eyes, too, filled with tears as he shook his head in disbelief. “She's—she's—gone,” he struggled to say.

Mr. Chambers knelt down and gently stroked Belle's neck, tears trickling down the man's sad face. “She was just too weak,” his voice wavered. “Hon, we're gonna need blankets and bottles for the baby. We don't want to lose her too.”

“I've got formula in my truck,” Dr. Gonzales said somberly.

Skye fought the unwanted tears that flooded her eyes and now ran freely down over her burning cheeks. She glanced at Morgan who sat staring in disbelief at the mare. Her freckled face flushed and instantly her eyes turned red and watery.

“We want to help…” Skye started to say.

“No! This can't be!” Tanya screamed. “She can't be dead! She can't be!” The hysterical girl pushed her way into the stall and fell on the mare's silent belly, sobbing uncontrollably as she ran her fingers through the horse's chestnut coat. “You can't be dead! You can't be! It's my fault again!”

“Tanya, it's all right,” Mr. Chambers said. He touched her shoulder and looked back at his wife.
Help me!
his watery eyes said.

Man, she's taking this hard,
Skye thought, wiping her eyes. “Mom…” she pleaded, looking into blue eyes already pouring out streams of tears.

Mrs. Chambers wiped her cheeks and took a deep breath. She rushed into the stall next to Tanya and touched her shoulders, urging her to stand. But Tanya pulled away, clinging to the horse like it was her own mother. “You can't die. I won't let you!” she wailed.

“Tom,” Dr. Gonzales said, scooping up the filly in his arms. “Let's get this baby set up in one of your clean stalls. She needs rest—and quiet.”

The men headed toward an empty stall on the other side of the barn. “Hon,” Mr. Chambers said, “I'll be back as soon as I can. Morgan, come with us. You can start heating the formula for the baby.”

Tears flowing down her face, Skye slipped into the stall and knelt next to Tanya. Mrs. Chambers knelt on Tanya's other side. All three sat weeping.

“Tanya,” Skye finally cried softly, “this wasn't your fault. You took care of her as well as you possibly could. Sometimes things like this just happen.”

Mrs. Chambers slipped her arm around Tanya and struggled to speak through a flood of tears. “Like Skye said, things like this just happen. Please don't forget about that baby. She needs a lot of care.”

Slowly, Tanya raised her head. Her whole body quivered as she reached forward and gently stroked the dead horse's neck. “Belle,” Tanya finally said, “nothing is ever going to happen to your baby. I'll see to that. She will live and grow strong. She'll be beautiful—just like you were. I promise!”

M
r. Chambers closed his Bible, ending the family's evening devotions. It had been several days since they had lost Belle. “Remember, girls,” he said, “First Corinthians chapter 13 is considered the Love Chapter of the Bible. When you are struggling with how to show love to each other, read that a few hundred times.” His mustache twitched. “I think you'll get the idea.”

Mrs. Chambers' blue eyes smiled. “Yes, it's easy to say ‘I love you,' but putting your words into action is another matter. Now if you recall, last week we asked you girls to find a special way to show love at school this week. Would any of you like to share your experience?”

The room was silent.

“Don't worry, girls,” Mr. Chambers joked. “This is not a test, just a sharing time.”

“Oh, I know!” Morgan raised her hand. “This week in math—we're doing graphs and stuff—Pam Housenick didn't have a clue. She asked me to help her in study hall, and I'd already planned to use that period to finish a science report that was due the next day. Well, I said yes and helped her. I finished my report at home that night,
which cost me big time. I had to sacrifice my hour of Battleship time.”

“Would you say that was a great big sacrifice?” Mrs. Chambers raised her eyebrows.

“Nah, not really,” Morgan said. “I felt good about helping Pam. She's a cool kid, but she just doesn't get the hang of math. I already told her I'd help her again. Maybe she won't flunk it this semester.”

“Very nice,” Mr. Chambers said. “Morgan, I think you've probably already discovered that the one who gives love benefits as much as the one receiving it.”

“Yeah, that's cool,” Morgan agreed.

“Anyone else?” Mrs. Chambers asked.

Skye's mind flashed back to one of her bus rides to school. “Monday morning—you know when everybody storms off the buses and charges to their lockers just to get the latest scoop of weekend news? Well, I couldn't wait to tell Robin and some of the other kids about our new filly—and poor Belle.

“I ran off the bus and was flying up the steps into the school when this pathetic little kid—I don't even know his name—tripped right in front of me. He went down hard, right on the cement. His backpack strap tore, and everything spilled out: books, pencils, candy bars, money, everything! It was a disaster. I started to go around him, and just that quick, I felt something—or someone—tell me to help him out. So I did. By the time I got to my locker, everybody else was gone, and it was just about time for the bell. I barely made it to my first class in time.”

“And how did you feel, Skye?” Mr. Chambers asked.

“Pooped!” Skye said. “I was sweatin' up a storm. But then when I got settled in class, I really felt good that I had helped someone.”

“That's the idea,” Mrs. Chambers said. “Love in action.” She looked at Tanya. “And, young lady, how about you?”

Tanya examined her newly-polished nails. “I really forgot about it,” she said glibly, then glanced at her watch. “Can I go now? It's time for the baby's feeding.”

“Dad, speaking of babies,” Skye said, “aren't we gonna name this new little one? Or are we just gonna call her ‘Baby' from now on?”

“No, we're going to name her,” Mr. Chambers replied. “But Eileen and I've been searching the Internet for information about Belle's bloodlines. She has papers that indicate she was from a line of champion Quarter Horses. I don't know why she showed up at auction in such terrible condition. The filly does need a name—but it's got to be a good one. Hang on for a few more days. Hopefully, we'll find out more about the line that little girl comes from.”

“No problem!” Skye said.

“Can I go now?” Tanya said, perturbed. “The baby really needs a bottle.”

“Yes, Tanya,” Mrs. Chambers said, “you may go.”

Tanya jumped up from the sofa and headed out of the living room.

“Remember, Tanya, the bottle must be heated to the proper temperature,” Mr. Chambers warned. “And make sure the barn door is closed tight. Drafts could make the foal sick. I'll be down in a little while to check her out.”

“I know,” Tanya said, grabbing her jacket from the hall closet.

Mrs. Chambers glanced Tanya's way. “Do you have your homework all finished?” she said loudly.

“Yeah. I got it all done in school. Later,” Tanya yelled as she slammed the kitchen door.

“I can't figure her out!” Morgan said. “What is with her and that foal? She's obsessed. And I never saw anyone cry over an animal dying like she did with Belle. She only knew her a few months. It was like they were soul mates, or something.”

Skye folded her arms and crossed her legs. “She sure was upset. I didn't know what to say, or do!”

“Girls, a lot of things are bothering Tanya,” Mr. Chambers said and then glanced at his wife.

“That's right,” Mrs. Chambers said. “You girls know that when you keep something hidden inside for so long, it's awfully hard to get it out. Tanya is making some progress in counseling, but she's still got a long way to go. Now, we just had a discussion about love. How have you two been showing love to Tanya—or doesn't she count?”

Skye stared at the floor.

“She doesn't give us a chance!” Morgan piped. “She's always busy.”

“Yeah,” Skye added. “We want to be nice to her, but she's always down at the barn.”

“Well, girls,” Mr. Chambers said, “God must work in Tanya's heart just like he did in yours. Until then we'll all keep praying and allowing God to love her through us. Sooner or later she'll come around. Just be patient.”

“Let's think a minute,” Mrs. Chambers said. “How could you show her love around here—even though she acts like she doesn't want it?”

“Send her a Valentine card every day!” Skye said sarcastically, looking around the room.

Everyone laughed.

Morgan twisted her mouth, placing her fingers on her chin. “Well, she doesn't need any help with homework. She's got straight A's, so that won't work. She probably could help me if she'd ever look beyond her own nose at other people's problems.”

“Aw, come on now,” Mrs. Chambers urged, “what could you two do to help her?”

Morgan raised her hand. “Hey, I know. I could cook her favorite meal once in a while. I love to cook. She loves to eat—certain things. That's what I'm gonna do.”

“You can start with queen bee soup,” Skye said and laughter filled the room.

“Skye…” Mr. Chambers chided. “Let's hear your idea.”

Skye stared at her sneakers. “Hmm,” she finally said, looking up. “I guess I could offer to help her with the foal. Maybe I could heat the formula or help clean the stall. Yeah, that's what I'll do—starting right now.”

Skye opened the Dutch door and slipped inside the foal's box stall located in the warmest corner of the barn. Tanya was kneeling with her arm around the baby's neck, feeding her from a large plastic bottle. The filly, standing on wobbly legs, was sucking the nipple like it was her last meal. A bright pink halter hugged her petite, fuzzy head. The stall almost sparkled from Tanya's obvious care. A thick layer of fresh straw covered a spotlessly clean floor. Fighting her negative feelings, Skye once again made up her mind to be kind. “Hey, how's it going?” she asked.

“Cool,” Tanya said. “Look at her scarfing down the formula. She loves to eat. Isn't she awesome?”

“Yeah, she's something else. I just love her chocolate milk color,” Skye said. She tiptoed closer and knelt beside the foal, touching her softly on her neck. “Do you know what else is too cool?”

“What?”

“Now I mean this as a compliment, not a jab. You two are almost the same color. That is super awesome.”

Tanya held her hand next to the filly's face. “Hey, we are! Wow! That is too sweet!”

“Maybe we should call her ‘Sweetie Pie,' ” Skye said, giggling.

“I would love to name her,” Tanya said, “but I know the Chambers are searching for just the right nomenclature.”

“Nomenclature?”

“Just a fancy word for ‘name,' ” Tanya said with a grin.

“What would you call her?”

“I haven't really thought about it that much because I figured I wouldn't have the chance to name her.”

“Well, for sure, she's gonna need a name. She'll be a beauty the way you're taking care of her. And I'll help you anyway I can. Just ask,” Skye said.

“Right on. I have a journal where I mark down every time I feed her, what she gets fed, and how much other stuff she gets. She hasn't missed a thing. Don't you think she looks bigger?”

“Sure,” Skye said. “She's made a lot of headway in two weeks. Every day she'll get stronger. How do you like motherhood?”

“Motherhood? What do you mean?” Tanya's face grew serious.

“Well, she's gonna think you're her mother. She'll follow you around like a lost puppy.”

“No kidding!” Tanya's eyes widened.

“I'm not kidding.” Skye ran her hand down over the foal's fuzzy brown back. “Those big brown eyes see you as her mama. Congratulations, Mom!”